Annual Tiverton Institute set
TIVERTON – The annual Tiverton Institute is set for Wednesday, March 7 and Thursday, March 8 at the Tiverton Grange, CR 20 and SR 206. Start the day off with coffee and donuts each day at 10 a.m. Wednesday will kick off with the baking contest for adults as they vie to make the best Dutch Apple Pie in Tiverton. About 10 to 12 local bakers participate in the baking contest each year. There is also a baking contest for those 16 and under. This year, the contest will feature no bake chocolate. About five to six kids participate in the contest each year.
The morning speakers on Wednesday include Tammi Rogers on recycling and Emily Adams on OSU Extension in Coshocton County.
“It’s fun to connect with the community like that,” said Rogers. “It’s always great to see friendly faces. Tiverton has a recycling trailer right there, so I’m going to talk about changes they’re going to see and what people can do to continue to recycle in the community.”
At 1 p.m., Alice Hoover will present The Comptons, Immigrants, and Settlers. At 2 p.m., Doug Randles will discuss the prehistoric Walhonding Valley.
“What it pertains to is that me and a friend of mine in the 1970s did salvage excavations on three Indian mounds in that area,” said Randles. “They have been intruded into over the years. I think in 1931, there were excavations done by the Boy Scouts. I hope people will find it interesting.”
The evening will conclude at 7 p.m. with music by River View Certified Gold and storyteller Christie Merce.
“We try to get something every year for the kids on Wednesday evenings,” said Maxine Border. “We try to make it different every year. Last year, we had Larry Pew who is a magician and he was really good.”
Thursday will begin with coffee and donuts at 10 a.m. and feature Dave Snyder as the morning speaker who will discuss Ada Wheeler, the first lady superintendent of schools. At 1 p.m., Ken Smailes will present fun and odd facts from history. Then Nancy Smith will tell Tiverton memories as told in a hooked rug.
There will be a soup supper that evening from 4 – 6 p.m. A covered dish lunch will also be held each day at noon.
“People like to get together and socialize and you get to see people you haven’t seen in a year,” said Border.
At 7 p.m., there will be music by Maxine Matheny and a skit by the Tiverton Youth.
“The Tiverton Youth is mostly grandkids of the grange members,” said Border. “We have about five or six active members.”
Getting ready for the Tiverton Institute every year is no easy feat. The grange needs to be cleaned, the heat needs to be adjusted, and speakers need to be assigned.
“A group of us get together and each one finds a speaker,” said Border. “We also ask people throughout the year if they want to speak. Getting different speakers each year helps bring people in.”
Category: Clubs & Organizations
